November 17th Notes

Fundamentals of Legal Practice
November 17, 2009

How to take his exams
-Needs to be condescending, explain everything, pretend he knows absolutely nothing about the law or explanation
-Needs you to explain law and apply it
-Give you facts on purpose (but you can argue any side)
-You can quote his question in the essay
-If he asks a question he wants to hear all the torts or all the duties, even if you don't think it might be there


Real Estate

no lien affidavit - seller claims no liens on property
    -Construction liens - up until 90 days after completion to file the lien dates back to completion
        (used to be called these, but are now construction liens)
        -Mechanic's liens: landscapers, electricians
        -Materialmen's liens: who supply mechanics

Recording - filed in public record
    -law requires constructive notice
    -first in time, first in right
        -banks lending must record, if not recorded first lose rights to money first

Title Search
    -abstract: the report on the property

Title insurance
    -insurance that the title is a true representation of the property
        -covers possible hidden liens

Claim of lien
    -order to force the owner to pay the amount due

Degree of Title   Page 355
    Fee simple absolute - highest ownership you can have
        -means you have 100% ownership and 100% of title
            -married 50% ownership and 100% title
Other degrees in descending order:
    Life estate - You don't own it but can live in it
    Easement
    License
    Leasehold - possession of

Page 356-357
-Closing Standards
Banks require homeowners and title insurance
   

Estate Law
-your property is your estate

If you die with:  Intestacy in WA (RCW 11.04.015) (without a will)
Spouse and Kids: 
    -Spouse gets all community property and 1/2 of the separate property
    -Kids get 1/2 separate property

Spouse/Parents/Siblings but no kids:
    -Spouse gets all community property and 3/4 of the separate property
    -Parents/Siblings get 1/4 of separate property

Spouse, no kids, no parents, no siblings
    -Spouse gets all community property and all of the separate property

Kids only
    -per capita: every one gets an equal share
    -per stirpes: kids get equal share/grandkids share from kids

No spouse, no kids, no siblings
    -Parents

No spouse, no kids, no parents
    -Siblings

No spouse, no kids, no parents, no siblings
    -Grandparents

No spouse, no kids, no parents, no siblings, no grandparents
    -issue of Grandparents meaning Aunts and Uncles

No spouse, no kids, no parents, no siblings, no grandparents, no aunts, no uncles
    -"Escheats" to the state of WA

Page 365
Testator
    -one who leaves property

Heir
    -one who receives property

Devise
    -real property

Bequeath
    -personal property

How to revoke a will
1. Intentional destruction
    -you don't want it anymore, simply revoked, must be intentional
2. Superseding will
    -will #2, revoking prior rules
3. Interlineation
    -lining out, revoking only parts of the will
    -can not add to the will with this (equal dignities rule)

In order to make a will:
  *important for final*
Capacity    
    -Competency:  (loosely defined)
        -Nature and extent of property owned (what they own)
        -Natural objects of your bounty (who your heirs are)
    -Need to be over 18

Amendment of a will
    -called a codicil
        -to make a minor change to the will
    Why codicils are a bad idea:
    1. Required to be executed with the same formalities of the original will
    2. Once you start modifications, it is not structurally sound


Form of a Will
1. In Writing
    -Oral wills (nuncupative will) are largely ineffective
        Is valid if:
        -"foxhole wills" you are deployed military
        -$500 cap
        -no real property
    -Holographic will
        -handwritten will by testator
        Is valid if:
        -entirely in hand of the testator
        -witnesses
        -some exclude real property

2. Must be signed by testator
    -not valid if not signed

3. Witnessed
    -varies sometimes 2 or 3
    -must be disinterested (not taking under the will)
    -must see testator sign and witnesses signs (depends on state)